Mattress factory fire upgraded to 6 alarms

Toronto firefighters are battling a massive, six-alarm blaze at a mattress factory in the city's north end.

Toronto Fire Services responded just after 8:30 a.m. to the fire at 198 Fairbank Ave., near Castlefield Avenue. That location is just north of Dufferin Street and Eglinton Avenue. The fire was originally listed as a two-alarm fire and was upgraded to six alarms shortly after 11:30 a.m.

The fire is sending large plumes of black smoke into the sky that can be seen from across the city.

Toronto Fire Services Deputy Chief Mike McCoy said firefighters have confirmed that no one is inside the building and crews are fighting the blaze from a defensive position.

"We're settling in for what's going to be a long afternoon," said McCoy. "The fire is moving around inside. As we get a handle on it on one way … it runs to the other side of the building."

There are concerns about chemicals present in the smoke from the fire. The building is full of stacks of mattresses, made of foam, rubber and other materials.

"We're got a breezy day, [the smoke is] dissipating fairly rapidly," said McCoy. "It wasn't heavy enough that it's causing us concern."

The fire had broken through the roof of the large industrial building and Toronto Fire Services was asking people to avoid the area due to heavy smoke.

A total of 24 trucks and more than 100 firefighters responded, including multiple aerial units. Some nearby buildings have been evacuated.

Police have closed Dufferin Street between Wingold and Castlefield Avenues.